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Smithsonian Sends Documents to White House as Deadline Passes in Executive-Ordered Review

The institution plans to brief officials on its internal review, with funding apportionments cited by the administration as leverage for compliance.

People react to a photograph of President Donald Trump on display at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery's "American Presidents" exhibit on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026 in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)
A visitor stops to look at a photograph of President Donald Trump and a short plaque next to it are on display at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery's "American Presidents" exhibit on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026 in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)
A visitor browses an exhibition at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture Aug. 28, 2025.
3DANPGC Smithsonian Natural History Museum Tyrannosaurus Rex Skeleton Washington DC // WASHINGTON DC — The Wankel Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, a massive theropod dinosaur measuring 42 ft (13 m) long and 15,400 lbs (7,000 kg), is displayed in the David H. Koch Hall of Fossils - Deep Time at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum. This impressive specimen, discovered by Kathy Wankel in 1988 in Montana, is a real cast (USNM 555000) and was loaned to the Smithsonian in 2014 for 50 years. The exhibit showcases the T. rex as the largest meat-eater in western North America during the Cretaceous period, living

Overview

  • Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III told staff he submitted materials to the White House on Tuesday and would continue providing information on a rolling basis, according to an internal email reported by UPI.
  • A Dec. 18 White House letter said the Smithsonian’s earlier production “fell far short” of requests and set a Jan. 13 deadline for records spanning exhibitions, labels, educational content, and plans for the U.S. 250th anniversary.
  • President Trump’s March 2025 executive order directs a review to remove “improper ideology” and assigns Vice President J.D. Vance an oversight role via the Board of Regents.
  • In the National Portrait Gallery’s America’s Presidents exhibition, wall text noting Trump’s two impeachments was removed and a new White House photograph replaced the prior portrait; the new label omits impeachment references.
  • The White House has warned that federal funds are available only in a manner consistent with the executive order, with OMB controlling disbursement, and up to six Board of Regents seats are expected to open this year.